Sprinkler supervisory system.



c. 1-". PATTERSON.

SPRINKLER SUPERVISORY SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 1, 1912 1,090,497. Patented Mar. 17, 1914..

2 BEEBT8-SHEET 1.

/6 a: 4 qfz lattocnu 1 -5 a c 0. F. PATTERSON. SPRINKLER SUPERVISORY SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 1 1912.

Patented Mar. 17, 1914 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

GHAIRLLES F. PATIEBSGN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

SE'EINIILER SUEEB-VISORY SYSTEM.

Application filed August 1, 1912. Serial No. 712,739.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar.

To all whom it may concern lilo it known that l, CHARLES l PAITER- sou. a citizen of the United States of Americas and a resident of New York, in the county or New York and State of New York. have invented certain new and useful Improvements in. Sprinkler Supervisory Systems, of which the following is a speci' lication. 1

My invention relates to sprinkler supervisory systems. such as are employed for supervising the condition and operation of fire-protection sprinkler systems.

My invention is particularly applicable to systems of thelclry pipe type, 2'. 6., spr1nkler systems in which normally there is no water in the riser. and branch pipes leading); to the sprinklers. In such systems there is usually. between the riser and the supply main. :1 check valve; and customarily, Sui licieut air pressure is maintained, or intended to be maintained, above this check valve, to prevent Water passing the check valve and entering the riser above said valve. (ustouiuril v, in order to avoid high air pressures above the check valve, said valve is a double-seat valve having an upper valve portion. and a lower valve portion, adapted to seat simultaneously agra'instseparate seats, the upper valve portion being very much larger than the lower valve porlion, the valve acting as a (inferential piston so that a relatively low pressure on the upper. side of the valve (:(uinter-balances a relatively high pressure on the underside of the valve. ln such a system, in case one of the sprinklers open. it releases the air pre sure above the check valve, and the latter then opens. water flows up through the riser and into the sprinkler branches, and out through the sprinkler or sprinklers which uurv have opened.

lu practice, water very frequently leaks slou'l past the valve, and accumulates above the valve in such quantity, that the Weight of the water above this valve interferes Qreatlv with prompt opening: of the valve. lt therefore, desirable to provide automatic indication of the presence of any considerable quantity of Water ab'ove the valve.

It is further desirable to provide automatic indication of the How of Water in any considerable quantity past the valve, as flow of any considerable quantity 16 due in a1 most all cases, to the opening of one of the sprinklers. and constitutes presumptive evi- (lllh'ft! of. the existence of a fire.

in the system herein described, I provide means for indicating when any considerable How of Water past the check valve occurs, and for sending in an alarm signal when such considerable flow occurs The system therefore constitutes in etlect an automatic fire alarm system. I also provide other means for indicating the presence of any considerable quantity of Water above the valve, and for sending a trouble signal in the event of the presence of any considerable quantity of water above the valve; the trouble signal being sent when one of the sprinklers opens, but being a-lso' sent when water exists in any considerable quantity above the valve, for any other reason, for example, the existence of a small leak.

The valve very often becomes corroded in its seat, and so is held from opening when the pressure above the valve decreases. It is. therefore, desirable to have means which shall indicate material fall in pressure above the valve. In case the fall in pressure is due to a small leak, as sometimes happens, the fall in pressure will be small at first, and therefore in the present system I provirle pressure-operated means which will send a trouble signalin case the pressure falls lightly below normal. In case a sprinkler opens there is an immediate great fall in pressure, followed instantly (it the valve opensl by an immediate great increase in.

in pressure above the valve. Other features of my invention will be pointed out hereafter.

The objects of my invention are to in crease the elfectiveness of su ervision of sprinkler systems, particular y dry pipe Fill sprinkler systems to provio'le for indication of rapid flow of Water past the check valve of such systems, to provide for separate indication of relatively slow flow of water past such Valve, or the presence of Water in more than negligible quantity above such valve, tc provide for indication of slight fall of pressure above the valve and for separate inication of rise of pressure above the valve, and in general, to make the apparatus simple, reliable and effective.

I Will now proceecl to describe my invention. with reference to the accompanying drawings and will then point out the novel features in claims.

In the iii-swings: Figure 1 shows more or less diagrammatically an elevation and pen tial section of a sprinkler system'huving one form of my improved supervision system connected thereto. Fig. Q is a view similar to Fi i. 1 showing alternative moons for indicating rise of Water cove the valve. 3 is a further View similar to Fig. 1, but illus'reting further elternetive contact means adapted to indicate slight fell in pres sure above the valve, great fell in pressure above the valve, and increase in pressure above the valve.

Referring first to Fig. l, numeral 1 clesignotes 2. riser of a, dry-pipe sprinkler system, numeral 2 designates a differential check valve of ordinary type normally preventing entrance of Water from supply pipe 3 to" riser l; at (lesignetes one of the sprinkler branches and 5, 5 designates sprinklers.

6 designates a manifold having connections EC, '2 at points of clifi'erent level to the riser L 8 designates a. float-actueted contact device the Float of which is in the lower portion of: seicl manifold, and 9 designates another float-actuated. contact clevice, the float of which is in the upper portion oi SElfl manifold. The particular CORStIUCJlOH' oi' the floatsctuatecl contact devices illustrated is unimportant, though the particular construction illustrated is convenient, the float rod being supported by e flexible diaphragm 10 which. also serves to close the nuinifold. To support flout-:1 when the latter are not supported by Water in the manifold, perforated partitions 11 provided.

13 designates e pressureactuated contact device connected by a tube 13 to the mani foltl 6. The particular construction or". pressure actuated contact device shown comprises a, Bourdon tube but any other suitable type of pressurenctimteel Contact (is vice may be substituted th icfor.

14: designates the ecti 3; magnet of a trouhle signaltransmit 15 the immature thereof and 16 the liicz-il? wheel thereof. The construction eml manner of operation of such transmitters is well known and it is not ic-cl necessary to illustrate same in detail here.

moose? l? clesignetes the actuating magnet of an alarm transmitter, 18 the armature thereof, and 19 the break Wheel thereof.

In the circuit arrangements shown, each transmitter magnet is located. in a normallyclosed circuit comprising a current generotor or battery, 20 in the case of transmitter 14;, and 21 in the case of transmitter 17. lunch transmitter magnet is arranged to be cleenergizecl by the closing of a short across the magnet terminals, by one or another of the contact devices before mentioned.

Floatnctuutecl conflictdevice 8 is an ranged, when the float is raised, by water in the manifold, to bring together contact. points 22 and 223, thereby closing a short across the termina s of magnet 14. Pres sure-actuated contact (levies 13 is arranged, upon slight decrease in pressure in the meni- 1 01s., to bring together contact points 2% anti ereloy also closing short across the terminals of magnet 15 will be clear that transmitter is will be operated upon the closing of short either by contact clevice 8 and contactpoints 5255 snol 2, or by contact 'zlevice 18 and :rpntect points 24 and Q5.

Float-actuated contact levice 9 is arranged, when its floet'is raised by water Within the manifold, to bring together contact points 26 end 27; and thereby to close zislioi't across the terminals of magnet 17. Pressurenctueted contact device 13' 1s arrengecl upon increase in pressure in the manifold shove the normal pressure therein. to bring together contgct points :28 and 529 thereby also closing the short across the terminals of magnet 17; lltwill be clear that transmitter 17 will be caused to operate upon the closing of it short across its termi nels, either by contact device 9, or by con tact device 13.

The operation of this system is as follows: Supposing one oi the sprinklers 5 to open, and to cause a great decrease in pressure shove the check valve 2, said valve will normally open, and the Water from supply main. 3 flowing); rapidly past said valve, will flow up,tlirough the riser l'to the sprinkler branch 4, and sprinkler or sprinklers and in so doing will also How into manifold 6, through the lower connection,7, actuating both of the lost-actuated contact devices, and also actuating the pressure actuated contact device 13; because, the Water in the supply main being under much greater pressure than the air pressure normally exist ing in the riser 1, when Water flows freely past the valve it. soon raises the prescrc in the riser sml in the mani't'i'xlcl 6 far above the pressure normally existing in sei'l riser and manifold. The contact ri cc 9 and the contact device 13 therefore each close 2L short across the terminals of on alarm transmitter magnet 17, thereby causing an alarm signal to be transmitted. The rise of water in the manifold also actuates the trouble contact device 8, causing the trouble signal transmitter to g operate; and such practically simultaneous operation of transmitters 1 1 and 17 is important, since the operation of transmitter 17 alone, though in general an indication 'of serious trouble, might be due merely to 1 the pumping up of excessive air pressure in riser 1; but the sending in of alarms from both transmitters 141? and 17 simultaneously or in quick succession, is a positive indication of the blowing of a sprinkler head, or the development of a very great leak in the system such as requires immediate attention to prevent damage from water flow; for these two signals, coming in simultaneously or nearl so, indicate that water has risen (1,0 in the riser 1 so rapidly to operate both float contact devices 8 and 9 at nearly the same instant, or to operate both float contact device 8 and. pressure operated contact de vice 13 at nearly the same instant, and this can occur only through excessive water fiow such as is due to the blowing of: a-

sprinkler head. (usually occasioned by a fire) or to the development of an excessive leak. The simultaneous or nearly simul- 39 raucous sending of signals by transmitters 14. and 17 cannot well be dueto the mere pumping up of excessive pressure in riser 1, for even if there had been a slow leak, prior to the pumping up of such excessive pressure.

5 such that Water had nearly risen to the point of operating contact device 8 before excessive pressure was pumped up in riser 1, the if umping up of such excessive pressure in itself tends to retard further leakage into the riser, so that under practically no con ditions can transmitters 14 and 17 send in their signals simultaneously or nearly so. except upon the blowing of one or more of the sprinkler heads or the development of 5 an excessive leak. Since either contact device 9 or contact device 13 will close a short across the terminals of magnet 17 in the event of rapid flowing of water into the riser l. the sending of an alarm by transmitter 17 is made doubly certain.

In case water should accumulate slowly above the check valve 2, because of a small leak in said valve, or because of condensation in the riser, or for any other reason, the

:35 contact device 8 will be actuated and will cause the trouble-signal transmitter 14 to operate. In case pressure should fall slowly in the riser 1, due to an air leak in the system, pressure actuated contactdevice 13 will operate contact points 24 and 25, and so will close a 'short across the terminals of magnet 14, causing said transmitter to send in a trouble signal. Ordinarily, pressure-actuated' contact device 13, and contact points 2.

it and 25, will be so adjustdd that, upon slight decrease in pressure in the riser, contact points 24 and 25 will be brought together, and the trouble-signal transmitter is: operated, before the pressure above the check valve has decreased to such extent as to permit such check valve to open and to permit contact device 8 to operate it being the common practice, in dry-pipc systems, to maintain above the check valve an excess of pressure above that required to hold the valve 2 seated normally.

In the arrangement shown in Fig. 2, I provide, in lieu. of the upper flow-actuated contact device 9, a flexible diaphragm 30 in the manifold 6, and contact points 31 and 32 arranged to be actuated by rise of this. diaphragm; said contact points 31 and 32 arranged, when brought together, by the rise of the diaphragm, to close ashort across the terminals of alarm-transmittermagnet 17.

This diaphragm 30 will be operated by rise of water in the manifold 6, such rise of water increasing the pressure upon the lower side of the diaphragm. In other respectsthe arrangement shown in Fig. 2 is the same as the arrangement shown in Fig. 1, and the operation of the system shown in Fig. 2 is the same as the system shown in Fig. 1.

In the arrangement shown in Fig. 3, the pressure actuated contact device 13 is pro vided with contact points so arranged that the .fire-alarm transmitter 17 is operated either in the event of a material increase of pressure, or in the event of a great decrease in pressure; and is also provided with contact means whereby the trouble alarm transmitter 14: is actuated in the event of slight decrease inpressure. To this end, said pressure-actuated contact device 13 is provided with two contact points, and 34, in the energizing circuit of magnet 14:, which con tacts are closed upon slight decrease iii pressure, so closing a short across the terminals of magnet 14 and so causing the transmitter to which that magnet belongs to operate. Said contact device 13 is further provided with contact springs and 36, which are brought together in the event of a further decrease in pressure. thereby closing a short across the terminals of fire alarm transmitter magnet 17, and causing transmitter 1'? to send in an alarm. And said contact device 13 is further provided with contact points 28 and 29 which are brought together in the event of a material increase in presssure. lVith this arrangement, in cascone of the sprinklers .5 opens, but the valve 2, for any reason, does not open, the great decrease in pressure due to the release of air pressure by the open sprinkler 5,.Wlll cause. contact device 13 to operate contact springs 35 and 36,thereby causing fire alarm transmitter 17 to operate and to send in a fire alarm even though'the valve 2 has not o 'iened. In other respects the operation of thesystem is the Hoftzontact points 33 and 34, in Fig. 3, being i the same as the effect of the closing of con- Cir tact. between points 24 and 25 in Figs. 1 and 2. In Fig. 3 I also show the lower float as normally supported l a small body of Water in the manifold 6, the intention being that the level of Water in the manifold and in the riser, shall be at about the level of the lower connection 7. Any rise of the water level above this point, will, as previously explained, bring together springs 22 and and give a trouble alarm. l have also shown in Fig. 3 other contacts 37 and 38. which will be closed by the contact device 8 in case the float should drop below normal position for any reason, as for example. collapse of the float or a leal; therein. These contact points 37 and 38 when so brought together close a short around the magnet; 14-. so giving a trouble alarm.

What Iclaiinis l. The combination with a dry-pipe sprinkler system comprising a liquid supply main and a. riser provided with sprinklers connected thereto, of a check valve between the supply main and riser, means including; signal-transmitting means for indicating rise of level of liquid in. the riser above said check valve, and means including signal transmitting means for indicating increase of pressure above normal in the riser above saidcheck valve, whereby indication of material flow through said riser will be given by the combined operation of said level-actuated and pressure-actuated signaltransmitting means.

2. The combination with a dry-pipe sprinkler system comprising a liquid supply main and av riser provided with sprinklers connected therewith, of a check valve between the supply main and riser, means actuated by rise of level of liquid, unaccompanied by material increase of pressure, in the riser above the check valve, means operated by increase of pressure above normal in the riser, and separate slouch-transmitting means arranged one to be operated by said level actuated means, the other to be operated by said pressuremctuated means. \vherebyindication of material flow through said riser will be given by the combined operation of said separate signal-transmit- V ting means.

noses-s7 rise of liquid in the riser above the check valve arranged to actuate the former of said signal transmitting means, whereby indication of material flow will be given by the substantially simultaneous operation of said signal transmitting means due to a decrease in pressure in the riser above the chem valve followed immediately by material increase in pressure or rise 0]. liquid level in said riser. y

4c. The combination with a dry-pipe sprinkler system comprising a. liquid supply main and a riser provided. with sprinklers connccted thereto, of a check valve between the supply main and riser, means includina signal transmitting means for indicatin, material increase in pressure above normal in the riser above said check valve, means including other signal transmitting means for indicating decrease in pressure below normal in said riser, and means actuated by rise of liquid in the riser above the check valve arranged to actuate the latter of said signal transmitting means, whereby indication or" material flowwill be given by the substantially simultaneous operation of said signal transmitting means due to a ,decrease in pressure or a rise of level of liqu d in the riser above the check valve, followed immediately by a material increase in pressure in said riser.

5. The combination with a dry-pipe sprinlrler system comprisinga liquid supply main and a riser provided with sprinklers connectedtherewith, of a check valve between the supply main and iriser, a plurality of contact device i arranged to be actuated independently by rise of liquid to diflerent heights in the riser above said check valve, and signal transmitting means operated by said contact devices, whereby indication of material iiovv through said riser will be given by "the successive actuation of said contact devices.

6. The combination with a dry-pipe sprinlrler system comprising a liquid supply main and a riser provided with sprinklers connected therewith. of a check valve between the supply main and riser, two float-actuated contact devices arranged to be actuated independently by rise of liquid to diilerent heights in the riser above said check valve. and separate signal-transmitting means sir ran'led to be operated the one by one of said fioatractuated devices. the other by the other of said float-actuated devices, whereby indication of material flow through said riser will be given by the successiveiactuation oi said separate signal-transmitting means.

7. The combination with a dry-pipe sprinkler system comprising a liquid supply main and a riser provided with sprinklers connected therewith, of a check valve between the supply main and riser, two float actuated devices arranged to be actuated by rise of liquid to different heights in the riser above the check valve, and pressure-operated means likewise connected to the riser of said sprinkler system, and arranged to be operated by increase in pressure in the riser, and signahtransmitting means operated by said float-actuated and pressure-actuated devices, whereby indication of material flow through said riser may be given by the successive actuation of said float actuated devices, and by the combined operation of said pressure-actuated and float-actuated device.

8. The combination with a dry-pipe sprinlclcr system comprising a liquid supply main and a riser provided with sprinklers connected therewith, of a check valve between the supply main and riser, two contact devices, arranged to be actdated by rise of liquid in the riser, and located. at different heights, and separate signal-transmitting means arranged to be operated the one by one of said contact devices, the other by the other of said devices, and pressure operated means likewise connected to the riser of said sprinkler system, and arranged to be operated by increase in pressure in the riser, said pressure-actuated means arranged when actuated to operate the same signal transmitting means which is arranged to be operated by the upper of said contact means.

9. The combination with a dry-pipe sprinkler system comprising a liquid supply main and a riser provided with sprinklers connected therewith, of a check valve between the supply main and riser, two contact devices, arranged to be actuated by rise of liquid in the riser, and located at different "heights, and separate signal-transmitting means arranged to be operated, the one by one of said contact devices, the other by the other of'said contact devices, and pressure operated means likewise connected to the riser of said sprinkler system, and arranged to be operated by decrease in pressure in the riser, said pressure-actuated means arranged when actuated to operate the same signal transmittin means which is arranged to be operated by the lower of said contact means.

10. The combination with a sprinkler system, of pressure-actuated means, and two signal-transmitting devices controlled there by, said pressure actuated' means arranged to operate one of said signal-transmitting means in. the event of material increase of pressure, vand in the eventof greatdecrease in pressure, and to operate the other of said signal-transmitting means in the event of slight decrease in pressure in the system,

whereby upon a great decrease in pressure below normal in the system, or upon a material decrease in pressure below normal followed immediately by a material increase in pressure above normal in the system, both of said signal transmitting means will be operated substantially simultaneously and indication of fiow will thus be given.

11. The combination with a dry-pipe sprinkler system comprising a liquid sup ply main and a riser provided with sprinklers connected therewith, of a check valve between the supply main and riser, pressure-- actuated means, and two signal-transmitting devices controlled thereby, said pressureactuated means arranged to operate one of said signal-transmitting means in the event of material increase of pressure in the riser, and in the event of great decrease in pressure in the riser, and to operate the other of said signal-transmitting means in the event of slight decrease in pressure in the riser, and two devices, arranged to be actuated by rise of liquid in the riser, and located at diiierent heights, the higher of said de vices arranged when actuated to actuate that signal transmitting means which is operated by said pressure-actuated means upon material increase in pressure or great decrease in pressure, the lower of said devices arranged when operated to actuate that signal transmitting means which is operated by the pressure-operated means upon slight decrease in pressure.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHARLES F. PATTERSON.

\Vitnesses 1. M. MARBLE,

. A. DAVIES. 

